Max Verstappen insider leaks ‘baby due date’ as the Red Bull ace’s on missing race clear
The 2025 Formula One season is just around the corner, and reigning champion Max Verstappen is gearing up to defend his title. However, the Red Bull ace has more than just racing on his mind, as he and his partner, Kelly Piquet, are expecting their first child. According to a Formula One insider, the baby is due to arrive in April, which could potentially coincide with a busy period on the racing calendar.
Verstappen has previously stated that he won’t be missing a race, even if it clashes with the birth of his child. However, with three Grands Prix scheduled to take place in April, including the Japanese Grand Prix, Bahrain Grand Prix, and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Dutch driver may face a difficult decision. The trio of races are all scheduled to take place on consecutive weekends, which could make it challenging for Verstappen to balance his racing commitments with the arrival of his newborn.
Former Formula One driver Giedo van der Garde, a friend of Verstappen’s, may have inadvertently revealed the due date of the baby during a recent interview with Viaplay. “That little one is due sometime in April if all goes well,” van der Garde said. “But yes, he has to do those races anyway.” While Verstappen has been tight-lipped about the due date, van der Garde’s comments suggest that the baby is expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
The timing of the birth could have implications for Verstappen’s title defense. With Red Bull facing stiff competition from other teams, including McLaren and Mercedes, Verstappen will need to be at the top of his game to secure a fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship title. However, the added pressure of becoming a new father could potentially affect his focus and performance on the track.
According to ex-driver David Coulthard, the target on Verstappen’s back is bigger than ever, and other drivers may see an opportunity to take him down. “As a side of that perception, the drivers that see an opportunity will probably just go for it with Max, because of his perception,” Coulthard said. “It’s the same way I would approach Michael [Schumacher] in a different way than I would Mika [Hakkinen] or Jean Alesi or guys that were very straightforward to race with if there was an opportunity.”
With the 2025 season set to get underway in Australia later this week, all eyes will be on Verstappen as he looks to defend his title and navigate the challenges of becoming a new father. Will he be able to balance his racing commitments with the arrival of his newborn, or will the added pressure affect his performance on the track? Only time will tell.
